Photo credit: www.theguardian.com
This animated portrayal of Jesus, featuring the voice of Oscar Isaac, is narrated in a peculiar twist by Charles Dickens, portrayed by Kenneth Branagh. The film draws its inspiration from a story Dickens penned for his children, which remained unpublished until 1934, long after his passing. The narrative unfolds with Dickens recounting the New Testament tales to his son Walter (Roman Griffin Davis) and Walter’s mischievous cat, providing a unique perspective for a young audience. Dickens endeavors to enlighten Walter, who is fascinated by the tales of King Arthur, about how Jesus embodies the true notion of the King of Kings. Viewers embark on a journey with Walter and Charles as they navigate the significant moments of Jesus’ life, spanning from the nativity to the crucifixion. This peculiar format bears resemblance to the character of Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol,” who traverses through various times and spirits.
From a visual standpoint, the film exhibits a range of artistic merits. The backgrounds showcase rich detail and captivating textures, enhanced by skillful lighting that adds depth to the scenes. However, the character animation leaves much to be desired, with Jesus depicted as having an unnaturally elongated neck that supports a bobblehead-like visage, complete with the stereotypically silky hair attributed to him. This portrayal lends him a toy-like appearance. Other characters, including the disciples and rival figures, are presented with exaggerated features, particularly the antagonistic “Pharisees” whose designs bear noticeably exaggerated noses, reflecting a rather simplistic depiction.
On the positive side, the voice cast is commendable, with Isaac delivering a nuanced performance that resonates well. Forest Whitaker brings a grounded quality to the character of Peter, while Pierce Brosnan’s portrayal of Pontius Pilate introduces an intriguing yet strangely designed character reminiscent of Charles Dance. While the film may not reach the heights of the classic biblical epics, it provides an adequate interpretation of its source material.
The film, “The King of Kings,” is set to be released in UK and Irish cinemas on April 11 and in Australian cinemas on April 10.
Source
www.theguardian.com